A bikini-clad teenage girl is thrown face down on the ground while crying out for her mother. A man is shot in the back several times while fleeing a routine traffic stop. Another teenager is killed near Ferguson, Missouri. Police gun down an Ohio man carrying a toy. A woman calls 911 while Indiana police bust the window of her car. A North Carolina teen is mistaken for an intruder and pepper-sprayed in his own home.

I am a black woman, wife of a black man, mother of two black boys. I’m also a psychiatrist that trains police officers to deescalate potentially deadly interactions involving individuals with mental illness – another group that is commonly feared and stigmatized. In order to forge a new narrative between police and black males, every American-- civilian and law enforcement alike—must accept that biologically speaking, every last bone in your body is prejudiced.

The sooner we can get out of denial about that, the sooner we can begin doing something about it.

Prejudice is defined as a preconceived idea. If someone handed you a big, shiny, red apple, you could describe exactly what it would taste like. Except, you can’t. You can describe what the big, shiny, red apple you ate yesterday tastes like – but in reality, you have no idea what the apple in your hand tastes like, because you’ve not yet taken a bite. Although we place significantly more value judgment on our preconceived ideas about people, the brain-based processes are exactly the same. Have you ever met someone for the first time and liked them before you knew them? Conversely, have you ever developed a fear response to a stranger that could only be based on past experiences as you’ve never met that person?

Throughout our lives, our brains are constantly logging new information and using it to form thoughts, opinions and preconceived notions. Estimated at around 70,000 per day, those thoughts are shaped by a part of the brain called the limbic system—a system that is dedicated to self-preservation and seeks to protect us by generating conditioned responses to environmental stimuli. In plain English, based on previous experiences, the limbic system, often without our voluntary input, senses perceived danger, generates a fear stimulus and commands the thinking part of the brain (known as the prefrontal cortex) to execute a plan for self-preservation. The prefrontal cortex then has to decide what the behavioral response will be. Unfortunately, a prefrontal cortex that has not been trained to challenge the information brought forward by the limbic system, can only take that information for absolute truth, and will react immediately, almost reflexively to neutralize the danger.

Fortunately, Crisis Intervention Team (C.I.T.) training, started in 1988, proves that the prefrontal cortex of law enforcement officers can be trained to resist inaccurate limbic system information. The C.I.T. program which trains law enforcement on how to more safely respond to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, has demonstrated reduced officer stigma and prejudice, reduced injuries, reduced involvement of SWAT teams and reduced police shootings of individuals with mental illness.

To be sure, some will read this piece and immediately develop a visceral response to the title alone. Unable to stomach that idea that they share anything in common with the officers involved in the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and Walter Scott, the limbic system may command the prefrontal cortex to run, thereby thwarting the opportunity for honest dialog.

Others will argue that officers must be held accountable for their behaviors. Absolutely. Consequences are known to be a main driver of behavioral change. However, consequences change behaviors after they have already occurred. I think we can all agree that we are seeking to change this behavior before another black teen is shot and killed by another police officer.

On a simple level, I am advocating for racial bias training, modeled after the C.I.T. program, to be added to police officer training for all departments in this country. On a more complex level, I am challenging every person in this country to give up the dream of a prejudice-free society. We are all human. As a result, entirely by fault of our limbic systems, we are all prejudiced. Today, let’s take the first step towards creating a dialog that would allow an Officer Wilson to say “I killed Mike Brown because I was afraid of him. I was afraid of him at least in part because of prejudices I have formed throughout my life. In that moment, my fear led my prefrontal cortex to believe I had no other choice but to kill him. In hindsight, I wish I had made a different decision.”

I am not putting words in Officer Wilson’s mouth, but is it not possible that in the seven seconds it took to kill Mike Brown, this was his experience? And would it not help us move forward as a country, for him to be able to say that; and for us to be able to hear that; and for there to be a mandatory program to strengthen the prefrontal cortices of officers around this country before they ever hit the streets so that just maybe, in the less than ten seconds within which they have to make life and death decisions, they might be able to choose life despite the fear response that tries convince them that death is the only option?

Dr. Nzinga Harrison is an Atlanta-based physician with specialties in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine and co-founder of Physicians for Criminal Justice Reform, an organization that seeks to eliminate the negative health consequences of interactions with the criminal justice system.

2 Comments

Great work Dr. Harrison. I am married to a MD in OB/GYN field of 20 years. Allow me to break down the problem of Law Enforce-ment and People who call themselves “government.” I have no degree or formal education in a government school. My research comes from various places, life experience and common sense. I want you to ask yourself with all the knowledge you have ascertained, tell me what factual evidence can you provide me with that the Constitution Codes or Body of Statutes are applicable to me based on my physical location in the State of Georgia? You see Doctor in your article you don’t address that this whole concept of “Government” is based on violence – Pay or Get Shot. Government has no voluntary support and how can one say “we protect you, but can destroy you to protect you.” I’m sorry to say there is not amount of training that will relieve an government agent “cop” who is out to collect revenue for politicians to stop their violent means in their so called protection – they are not bound to give. There are several lawyers DBA the Supreme Court cases that ruled “…Government has no duty to protect any individual as elementary as police services…” Why do you think cops can kill unarmed Black men and youth and walk out of court with a slap on the wrist? The government institution called a “University” already explained in the Milgram Experiment” the reason for their brutality. It is nonsense that Black people continue to feed into calling Military and Cops “HERO” idolizing a man or woman in a costume with weapons of war around their belt, that will kill their neighbor if a politician tell them to. You have so called Black Leaders who never participate in any protection of so-called rights of any Black individuals who suffer terrorism fromr agencies of government, yet want votes to keep their government jobs so they can get rich supporting corporations interest and bamboozal us that they are passing legislation to help our causes. How can any Black women sleep at night when she knows, when her male family members have to walk around with their tails between their legs, when they deal with government authorities. You husband being a trader – BA degree, Licensed CFL member can be subject to assault by a cop for a stop sign or seatbeat and subject to be killed if he blinks the wrong way? Hummm! I pray you have enormous success as a Black Woman in a field dominated by Dr. Phil’s in the world. I suggest reading “Government Indicted” by my friend Marc Stevens. You can get the e-book on Amazon for bout $20 bucks. It is very enlightening and you can share your thoughts and expertise on his radio show. It would be some good advertisement as he has a decent following that would appreciate your input. Take care Sister!

Dr.Harrison,just read your article about psychology of police brutality,we all agree some thing is definitely wrong but what can we do to get some thing do.it looks like a on going abused by some of our police officer going over board.???????????

About Me

A well-respected physician and educator Dr. Harrison is the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Eleanor Health, a value-based provider of comprehensive outpatient addiction treatment. Approachable and energetic, she has been known to explain medical concepts with an ease and humor that results in her audiences developing understanding of difficult material while having a good time doing it! She has written and presented several articles and workshops on the medical aspects of addiction and other psychiatric disorders. She is available for media appearances, supervision and medical consultation and to answer any questions you may have about addictive or other psychiatric disorders.